The summer night was sweltering, the warm wind blowing through the open window and casting an eerie yet strangely peaceful atmosphere in the room. Ukyo took a moment to glance around, her eyes taking in the luxurious furnishings and spaciousness of the room.

'No one can deny this place is as advertised.' Thought Ukyo as she leaned against the plush chair next to the window. She ran her hands over its smooth oak surface, admiring the craftsmanship. When she first saw the pictures of the inn in the advertisement, she assumed they were heavily edited to make it seem more appealing. But now that she was here, she could admit how wrong she was. Everything looked just as perfect as it did in the photos.

As soon as she arrived, Haruko, a friendly middle-aged woman and innkeeper, greeted her with a warm smile and welcoming aura. Ukyo immediately felt at ease in her presence. If there was anyone who exuded the same gentle energy as Kasumi Tendo, it was Haruko. But unlike Kasumi, Haruko also had a clear sense of enthusiasm, adding a spark to her demeanour. Standing tall with dark brown hair and deep brown eyes, she commanded attention while still maintaining a gentle demeanour. The two quickly formed a comfortable friendship and Ukyo couldn't help but be grateful for it - not only did she get her room at half price, but she also made a new friend to keep her company during her stay.

Glancing over at a small leaflet resting on the table next to her, Ukyo picked it up and studied it closely. The bold headline caught her attention: 'Mystical Getaway: The Getaway of a Lifetime'. She hummed softly as she perused the rest of the leaflet, taking note of the enticing tagline. It sounded magical - just what she needed to take her mind off things. The advertisement on TV had been even more persuasive, with less emphasis on the mystical aspect but still highlighting it as a plus point. Ukyo was sold on a peaceful and unknown retreat where no one would recognize her. And so far, it seemed perfect - for once in her life.

And yet, Ukyo couldn't help but second-guess her impulsive decision to escape Nerima. The thought of leaving it all behind, including her friends and Ranma, was both exhilarating and terrifying. She had saved up enough money from her okonomiyaki business to make the sudden trip, convinced that it was time to figure things out and break free from routine.

But now, as she sat alone in a quiet room, doubts crept into her mind. Was she ready to give up everything for this? Did she truly believe that Ranma would ever reciprocate her feelings? Ukyo felt a pang of unease at the thought of giving him up, but at the same time, the idea of chasing him endlessly also weighed heavily on her.

As she sipped her tea, Ukyo couldn't ignore the nagging voice in her head asking why she had run away. Was it because deep down, she knew that Ranma would never see her as more than a friend? The logical side of her tried to reason with these doubts, but they still lingered.

Ever since she heard the rumours about Ranma and Akane's relationship getting more serious, Ukyo couldn't shake off the feeling of being left behind. Even though she initially laughed it off when Shampoo told her, deep down she knew there was truth behind it. And that realization only added to her inner turmoil.

She refused to back down and give up on Ranma, he was still technically her fiancée after all. But as much as she denied it, a part of her wondered if this was all just futile chasing after someone who would never love her back.

Ukyo hadn't and wouldn't have believed in it so easily if she hadn't witnessed it herself. Her regret was hastily running to the Tendo residence to confront Ranma and Akane, to question them intensely which would scare them into denying the rumour regardless if it was true or not. Of course, she expected the usual, with the both of them furiously denying, them shouting at each other and calling each other names. But this time, this time was different.

Ukyo hid and eavesdropped on the two talking about their engagement. If this was a few years ago, the conversations would start and end with them fighting or denying any sort of involvement with each other. But as Ukyo watched them carefully, she detected no sign of argument. Instead, they stood close, alone, and looking in the opposite direction.

Ukyo thought that was a promising indication.

"D-do you think everyone will be okay with it?" Akane started, touching her arms nervously.

"Hey, it's our decision, not theirs. They'll get over it." Ranma replied, his voice confident.

Akane pouts lightly, looking away from her fiancé this time as she lets out a small sigh, " I know, but-- we should at least tell them. They're our friends"

Good-natured Akane, always thinking about others.

"If they're our friends, don't worry so much, they'll understand."

"But Ranma…"

"Akane," Ranma took hold of her hands, hanging his head low and sighed.

"Ranma?"

He raised his head slowly to meet her eyes, their gaze melted together softly. Their face close barely leaving a gap between them. Suddenly a dreamy energy spread all around them, its aura rosy and mellow.

"Let's just focus on us for a while. Just us. Just you and me, okay?" Ranma's voice is soft as he pleads for her attention.

Akane turned a slight shade of crimson just from the sweetness of his voice, "Kay,"

Ukyo didn't want to stay and watch the rest; she fled the residence as quickly as she could without turning back even once. When she arrived at her restaurant, she felt so out of it as if her world started spinning.

"No…" she pleads desperately. Pleading to who? She doesn't know.

The last thing she remembers was staggering into her restaurant, sitting on a chair, her back slouched and her body resting on the counter.

"I told you not to go there." A familiar squeaky voice said. Ukyo didn't raise her head, didn't even look up but she knew who that voice belonged to.

"I just wanted to make sure you weren't lying," Ukyo mumbled.

"And?" Shampoo asked, "Found what you looking for?

Ukyo remained silent.

"Okay, at least you alive, "Shampoo said, slightly amused, "I be going now."

"Wait," Ukyo called out. Shampoo stopped and turned to look at Ukyo.

"Are you…are you okay with this?" why was Shampoo acting as if it was not affecting her? It should, shouldn't it? She loves Ranma too.

"I tired," said Shampoo flatly.

Tired? What does that mean?

"Tired? Tired of what? Ranma? But—"

"If Ranma finally decided to love Akane, the least I can do is be happy for them."

"So that's it? that never stopped you before, Shampoo."

Shampoo met Ukyo's gaze, her eyes brimming with the look of defeat that shocked Ukyo. For as long as she knew Shampoo, she was never the one to back down she was always the most assertive one between them when it came to Ranma.

Ukyo stopped; she didn't realise she had remained so still until Shampoo walked out of the door and closed the door behind her.

The days that followed seemed manageable. The only difference was that she hadn't seen Ranma or Akane for a while, usually, they would come to say hello now and again. Business was slow but Ukyo was still thankful for the distraction. Without it, she would overthink to no end.

The only time she had to acknowledge it again was when she received a letter from the Tendo residence weeks after. She musters all her courage to read it and when she is done, she feels numb. Every part of her body felt numb. The tears came and it flowed but she didn't make a sound. One of those silent tears, the ones where you feel unbelievably sad but you can't even bring yourself to sob. The heart-wrenching one.

Then the next thing she knew, after stumbling on the ad for Itabashi Inn one day she packed her bags and slipped away like a ninja in the night.

It was an impulsive move. No thought was considered, just action.

Fast forward to the present, she sat in a luxurious-looking inn, overlooking Akatsuka Park. She doesn't know why she chose this lavish Ryokan. It was spontaneous if she was honest, it played an advert on TV and she wasted no time in booking a room. She reached for the letter in her bag, staring at it sadly.

She admits, she always imagined she would be the most logical one out of all of them to receive the news that Ranma and Akane finally wanted to be together. But looking back at it now, she was disappointed with how she reacted. And to know that Shampoo of all people who would be the most sensible one?

She shook her head. Who knew?

"Okay, get it together Uuchan!" she smacks her cheeks lightly to snap herself out of her thoughts. "I am forgetting Nerima, at least for now. I will start over, it's not like I will run into anyone here." She came here wanting release, wanting to start over for a while, wanting to disconnect from her fears and most of all wanting to rationalise her thoughts and feelings. She's determined to do exactly that.